The Prometheus Project: Trapped [Paperback]

Douglas E. Richards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2010 | Age Range: 9 and up | Series: Prometheus Project | Lexile Measure: 760L (What's this?)

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the adult thriller, WIRED, THE PROMETHEUS PROJECT: TRAPPED is the first book in a critically acclaimed science fiction series for kids.

Ryan and Regan Resnick have just moved to the world's most boring place. But when they discover their parents are part of an ultra-secret project called Prometheus they are plunged into a nonstop adventure: one that will be the ultimate test of their wit, courage, and determination. Soon they are under attack and facing hostile alien worlds, alien technology, and unimaginable dangers at every turn. Now, with their mother facing certain death, they must race to solve a seemingly impossible mystery to have any hope of saving her. But if they save their mom, they will have no way to save themselves. . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Recommended.  Cinematic.  Readers will surely be reminded  of Eleanor Cameron's Mushroom Planet series, as well as Heinlein's Have Space Suit --Will Travel, and even Clarke's 2001." --Asimov's Science Fiction magazine

"My class loved it.  They were totally engaged.  It's a hard book to put down." --5th Grade Teacher, Quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune

"This science-fiction mystery series certainly keeps you turning the pages. It had me hooked by page two of the first book." --The Children's Book Review

"Fun and suspenseful.  Highly recommended." -- kirkus

"Captures that pulse-pounding excitement you remember from your Have Spaceship Will Travel and Postmarked the Stars days.  . . . crisp, clean, and delivers what it promises." --SFReader.com

About the Author

Douglas E. Richards is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and frequent contributor to National Geographic KIDS magazine. His PROMETHEUS PROJECT series is being used as a read-aloud in classrooms across the country, has been endorsed by the California Department of Education, acclaimed by the iconic science fiction magazine, Asimov's, and showered with praise by kids (both reluctant and advanced readers), parents and educators alike in numerous publications.

Product Details

• Age Range: 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Paragon Press; 2nd edition (May 7, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982618417
• ISBN-13: 978-0982618417
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 0.6 x 5.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas E. Richards is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the science-fiction/technothriller, WIRED, its sequel, AMPED, THE CURE (for release in September, but available now for preordering) and six critically acclaimed adventures for children.

Richards was a biotechnology executive for many years before leaving to write full time. He earned a BS in microbiology from the Ohio State University, a master's degree in molecular biology (aka "genetic engineering") from the University of Wisconsin--Madison, and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

In 2010, in recognition of his work, Richards was selected to be a "special guest" at San Diego Comic-Con International, along with such icons as Stan Lee, Ray Bradbury, and Rick Riordan. He has written numerous feature articles for the award-winning magazine, National Geographic KIDS -- some having appeared in a dozen languages in as many as sixteen countries -- as well as essays for the BBC, The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Earth & Sky, Today's Parent, and many others.

Richards currently lives in San Diego, California with his wife, Kelly, his children, Ryan and Regan (for whom the main characters in his PROMETHEUS PROJECT series are named), and his dogs Dash and Myla.

You can friend Richards on Facebook at Douglas E. Richards Author, and write to him at [e-mail]

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#42 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

#52 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

#42 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Science Fiction

#52 in Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Science Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended! December 23, 2007

By Alice Berger

Format:Paperback

After six weeks in Brewster, Pennsylvania, Ryan and Regan Resnick are looking for anything at all to help relieve their boredom. So, when they discover their scientist parents are working in a top-secret facility where something seems suspicious, they want to find out what's going on.

Getting in requires some logic and skill, but they soon find that getting out might pose a larger problem, as will saving their mother from certain death.

As they explore this fascinating location, they come across challenges that test their intellect and reasoning ability. Using the scientific method, they need to discover how to navigate this strange environment that occasionally turns hostile on them. And saving their mother will be the ultimate test.

This book held my interest from the moment I picked it up. Just like Ryan and Regan, I wanted to know what was happening in Prometheus Alpha, and I tried to solve the puzzle of how to get in right along with them.

The alien city was reminiscent of Harry Potter's Hogwarts, where anything could happen, and there were no limits to the places they could go or the things they could do. I would have loved for the kids to spend more time exploring, but under the circumstances, they had no time to waste.

The unique puzzle they needed to solve to save their mother made my head spin, but ultimately their logic was right on. It certainly will give kids something to think about.

This is a well-written and enjoyable science fiction adventure. I highly recommend it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger
Bergers Book Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A mixture of Scifi & education for middle-graders November 10, 2007

By J. Kaye Oldner VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"The Prometheus Project: Trapped" by Douglas Richards lives up to its press release which had these among others:

* The California Department of Education added it to its list of "Recommended Literature for Math & Science.".
* National Geographic Kids senior editor Catherine Hughes wrote "Captured is a page-turner that kids -and their parents-will love reading".
* The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, a home schooling publication, wrote "unlike any book that I have ever read."

The last one captured my interest. As a home school Dad who helps with math and science anything that helps me out works for me!

This is a science fiction book. Sci-fi is a genre I grew up reading. My favorite was Issac Asimov, whose books were always based on factual science, and this is what I expect of my Sci-fi, a little learning with the fun. Trapped did not disappoint me!

The main characters are an older brother and younger sister whose parents are brilliant scientists working on a top-secret project exploring an alien underground city. The kids use their smarts to break into the city and with the help of the telepathic computer teacher in the city, saves their mother from a deadly accident.

I read the book in 2 days, splitting the reading at Chapter 14. The first half seemed rather slow. The only science was a using talcum powder to `see' the laser sensor beams trick, and then there were 2 word puzzles used to figure out the secret passwords, which I liked. However, the second half really packed it in!

The scientific method, gravity and falling objects, nano-technology, and problems of observation and hypothesis are just of few of the lessons the kids learned. Add to that courage and determination to solve these problems and you've got what makes this book special.

An added bonus was the dialogue. The adults didn't talk down to the kids, but they did talk at their level. The kids were respectful while arguing and standing up for what they wanted.

I highly recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the next!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Really exciting and fun to read March 6, 2005

By E. Gordon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My nephew and I both really enjoyed the book, but I've posted his review below.

Really exciting and fun to read. I couldn't stop reading it.
Kevin, Age 9